Abstract: A process for producing hypophosphorous acid (H.sub.3 PO.sub.2) by reacting, in the absence of a catalyst and under an acidic condition, phosphine with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to produce an acid solution. The acid solution is then contacted with an non-transition metal hydroxide, oxide or carbonate, e.g. sodium hydroxide, to produce a product composition containing a hypophosphite, e.g. sodium hypophosphite (NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.2.H.sub.2 O). The process of this invention finds particular utility in processes of the type wherein phosphorus is reacted with an aqueous non-transition metal hydroxide composition, e.g. an aqueous suspension of a sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide, to produce a hypophosphite and byproduct phosphine. The process of this invention converts a substantial portion of the byproduct phosphine to hypophosphite.

Abstract: A process for producing hypophosphorous acid (H.sub.3 PO.sub.2) by reacting, in the absence of a catalyst and under an acidic condition, phosphine with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to produce an acid solution. The acid solution is then contacted with an non-transition metal hydroxide, oxide or carbonate, e.g. sodium hydroxide, to produce a product composition containing a hypophosphite, e.g. sodium hypophosphite (NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.2.H.sub.2 O). The process of this invention finds particular utility in processes of the type wherein phosphorus is reacted with an aqueous non-transition metal hydroxide composition, e.g. an aqueous suspension of a sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide, to produce a hypophosphite and byproduct phosphine. The process of this invention converts a substantial portion of the byproduct phosphine to hypophosphite.

Abstract: A process for preparing detergent grade sodium tripolyphosphate from wet process phosphoric acid comprising neutralizing said acid to a pH at which the Na:P ratio is about 5:3, contacting the resultant mixture of mono- and disodium orthophosphates with an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of ozone, hydrogen peroxide and mixtures thereof, in amounts sufficient to oxidize color causing impurities, and drying and heating said orthophosphates to effect the change to sodium tripolyphosphate.